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Acts 21:24

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 21:24 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “these take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges for them, that they may shave their heads: and all shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been informed concerning thee; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

these take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges for them, that they may shave their heads: and all shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been informed concerning thee; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law.
Acts 21:24 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
21and they have been informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs.
22What is it therefore? They will certainly hear that thou art come.
23Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men that have a vow on them;
24these take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges for them, that they may shave their heads: and all shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been informed concerning thee; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law.
25But as touching the Gentiles that have believed, we wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.
26Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them went into the temple, declaring the fulfilment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.
27And when the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him,
← Acts 21:23Acts 21:25 →
← Full Chapter 21 Acts Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Them take, and purify, thyself with them, etc.] That is, join thyself to them, make one of their number, and attend to the rules prescribed to a Nazarite, who is to be holy to the Lord; and in case of any ceremonial uncleanness, is to be cleansed, or purified in the manner directed, (<040605>Numbers 6:5,8,9). And be at charges with them; join with them in the expense, for the offerings to be made at the end of the vows, or when the days of separation are fulfilled, (<040613>Numbers 6:13-15). That they may shave their heads; according to the law in (<040618>Numbers 6:18). This was done in µyryznh tkçl, the chamber of the Nazarites f1097 ; for there the Nazarites boiled their peace offerings,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“be at charges with them--that is, defray the expense of the sacrifices legally required of them, along with his own, which was deemed a mark of Jewish generosity.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Them take - Take with you. Join yourself with them. And purify thyself with them - Join them in observing the forms of purification prescribed by the Law of Moses in the observance of the vow of the Nazarite. The purifying here refers to the vows of sanctity which the Nazarites were to observe. They were to abstain from wine and strong drink; they were to eat no grapes, moist or dried; they were to come near no dead body, nor to make themselves “unclean” for their father, mother, brother, or sister, when they died Numbers 6:3-7; and they were to present an offering when the days of the vow were completed, Numbers 6:8. And be at charges with them - Share with them the expense of the offerings…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And all will know - that thou thyself walkest orderly, keeping the law - Ought he not, without any reverence to man, where the truth of God was so deeply concerned, to have answered plainly, I do not keep the Mosaic law; neither need any of you. Yea, Peter doth not keep the law. And God himself expressly commanded him not to keep it; ordering him to go in to men uncircumcised, and to eat with them, Act 11:3, which the law utterly forbids. Acts 21:26”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“and purify: Act 21:26, Act 24:18; Exo 19:10, Exo 19:14; Num 19:17-22; Ch2 30:18, Ch2 30:19; Job 1:5, Job 41:25; Joh 3:25; Heb 9:10-14 that they: Act 18:18; Num 6:5, Num 6:9, Num 6:13, Num 6:18; Jdg 13:5, Jdg 16:17-19 but: Co1 9:20; Gal 2:12 Acts 21:25”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification